• ****(Hymn)
    I had removed the bugging devices, changing my bandages. I sent the data to Tsu-chan and re-integrated the elements into my body. I returned to the office, where Light was waiting.
    “And there I thought you’d gone home.” She smiled almost warmly. “Follow me... I opened the door.” She stepped backwards through the wall behind Libra’s desk. I stepped towards it, trying to peer into the wall. Eventually, I shut my eyes and stepped through it, following Light. She laughed as I opened my eyes. “That’s so sweet. I had to pull everyone else through.” I raised my eyebrows, and she flushed. “I mean, even our superiors didn’t like it the first time...” I looked around. We were in a lift. She pressed a button, the doors closed and the lift began to descend.
    Jessica Jones’ office, wall equals door... I felt funny after going down a while. It felt like my powers were being suppressed. Even Light, who had been standing still, shifted uncomfortably.
    “What was that?” Light smirked.
    “Oh, it’s just the scanners. Tells the people below who’s coming down.” She smiled. “Very observant...” There was a stuffy silence after that. A little while later, we stopped, and the doors opened again. I felt my powers return. I see... powers are suppressed in the lift shaft. But, what for? I looked around after we stepped out of the lift. It was... a giant hall, with lab equipment around the walls, and an arena in the middle. Libra was the only one down here apart from me and Light. There were also viewing platforms and galleries near the roof... I suppose that was B1F, whilst we were in B2F... I also tried to sense Ri-chan... but there was just a small spark... I suppose that was why my view was shielded. Suppressants in the walls and in the lift shaft...
    “I... I didn’t know that Harken had a basement...” Libra giggled.
    “Of course not. This is where we do Human Trials.” The screams... were from here... and they were... the lack of staff was now obvious... Libra didn’t seem so friendly now...
    “Hu-human Trials? Where are the-”
    “There were no survivors.” I slumped, eyes wide. Well, fake the surprise – I knew in my heart this would happen...
    “What were you- No. Those devices...” Libra smiled deviously.
    “And you shall try them, too.” She looked so evil right then... “It is your DNA, after all... Maybe you’ll do better.” The voice in the back of my head began to poke me.
    Take them. Go on, you are logged in. You can do anything. What the-? It wasn’t Libra or Light, but... it was a familiar voice... I know who it is, but... no idea.
    “Do I have a choice in the matter?” Not just for them, but the voice, too. Light put her hand on my shoulder, smiling down at me evilly.
    “Do it or I’ll kill you.”
    “Well then...” I gulped. “Let’s take a chance on it...” Libra smiled warmly.
    “Yes, this way... you may live.” I gulped and stood up.
    “So... what do I do, then?”
    ***(Hide)
    I am so worried about her. Ever since the last message, it’s been silent. I can’t even sense her. Oh, Mi-chan... what happened? I was watching the entrance. Military men kept going into the building... I think that they’re going in to see something – possibly... no. They’re testing the Repa Units. Mi-chan...
    “Right. That’s it, we’re going in.”
    “Ugh. Fine, I’ll use my hypnosis.”
    “I like the look of the receptionist...” Dexie rolled his eyes.
    “Raphael, you are not seducing anyone tonight.” Sinistra nudged Dexie.
    “Let him do as he pleases.” She turned to Raphael. “Just make sure you’re with us when we save Mirari-chama, okay?” Raphael nodded.
    “Of course I will.” Raphael was using his old armour, and a large blade. Everyone else was using Mithrim and Mod Units. I had even brought Niger along, merged with Noir for a bit. Even soulless, they enjoy each other’s company. Actually, if I didn’t know better, Mi-chan’s presence has increased their power, even given them a little bit of soul. She has that effect on me, too.
    “Shall we?” I stood up, changing my Mithrim to a military uniform. Everyone else did the same. We walked towards the door, and entered thanks to Kat’s hypnosis. Raphael did try his powers, but... he just couldn’t turn her... I smirked. Discussions began between people as we headed towards someone’s office. I smiled as people began to filter in... clearly well rehearsed. There was a hold up as the ground shook. Not once, but twice... and then we quickly were shoved into a small room with viewing windows, showing a large arena with lab machines around the outside... Everyone around seemed to be astonished at ‘a working model’. There was screaming from the female causing the tremors... the blasts of energy were probably destroying her body. My heart felt like it was bleeding... it would’ve been easy to rip my heart out at the moment – I wouldn’t have noticed...
    ***(Pain)
    Login was easy. Just like the Mod Units... but from then, it was pure pain. It was like someone had taken out my nerves, soaked them in petrol and set light to them whilst crushing them. ******** me (not an invitation), this was bad... Everything went white, and although I could hear Libra barking orders... my flaming crushed nerves couldn’t do a damn thing. The artificial Mod Units were forcing a power release from my body... with every power surge, my fingers and toes were getting a tiny bit number... The voice inside my head was crying, just crying for me... Apologies... for letting this happen again...
    And, the worst part was... I knew Ri-chan was watching this...
    ***(Lifts)
    I drew closer to the viewing windows. It was Mi-chan, screaming her heart out. The power she was releasing... I slid into the lift, followed by Raphael. The others hadn’t twigged on until the doors were closing. Kat looked betrayed, somehow. The decent was agonisingly slow...
    “Can I ask you a question, Alex?”
    “You just did.” I sighed as he smirked. “But go on...”
    “Would you approve of me dating your sister?” I looked at him. He was being serious.
    “I thought you were already...” He raised his eyebrows.
    “W-was it that-” I nodded.
    “If I had a problem with it, I would’ve said so already...” I smiled. There was a pause. “How the ******** can you ask that at a time like this?” Ah, the almost-serious-yet-calm-and-cheerful face.
    “To keep your mind occupied. We’re nearly there, now.” He gestured to a little strip of light behind his arm. A small red light was nearly at the bottom of the otherwise white strip. It moved down to the bottom as I watched it. He smirked. “See?” I smirked back.
    “Fine. Thanks for that.” I punched him on the shoulder.
    “Ugh. No problem.” He slapped my back hard. We both laughed briefly, and the lift stopped. The doors opened and we were instantly straight up and serious.